^. 



X- 



"THE HOUSE OF GOD" 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAL 



X^ 



-JD 



Old South Meeting-House 



OF NEWBURYPORT, MASS. 



BY THE PASTOR 



Horace Carter Hovey, D. D 



December 16th, 1906 



'THE HOUSE OF GOD" 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 



ON THt 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAL 



Old South Meeting-House 



OF NEWBURYPORT, MASS. 



BY THE PASTOR 



Horace Carter Hovey, D. D 



December 16th, 1906 



,?St50f.> 




REV. HORACE C. HOVEY. 



DEDICATORY GREETING 



To the First Presbyterian Congregation. Beloved Parishioners 
and Friends: — 

It has been my custom to give you a pastoral New Year's 
Greeting. Let the custom now be varied. Accept instead the his- 
torical discourse given orally near the close of the Old Year, and 
which in printed form is hereby dedicated to you. It is meant that 
a copy shall come to the door of each family in the flock, as the 
Pastor's New Year's Gift for 1907 bearing his silent Benediction. 

The story told in these pages does not say all that could be 
said about our denomination, even in this locality. It simply re- 
traces the old paths in which your fathers and mothers used to go ; 
and relates the efforts of sires and sons to build, renew and adorn 
a spacious meeting-house which has stood for orthodoxy, order 
and liberty during all the one hundred and fifty years that have 
passed since its strong foundations were laid and its solid oaken 
frame was reared to the glory of God. 

I greet you, not only as heirs of a sturdy New England Pres- 
byiterianism, but as heirs of God and joint-heirs with our Lord 
Jesus Christ. This house of God is part of your sacred heritage. 
Keep it for the generations to come ; that they, too, within these 
hallowed walls, may "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." 
Your friend and Pasitor, 

HORACE CARTER HOVEY. 
First Presbyterian Parsonage, 

Newburyport, Mass. 

January ist, 1907. , 




THE OLD SOUTH MEETING-HOUSE. 



OLD SOUTH MEETING-HOUSE 



To the Pastors and Churches of Newbury and Newburyport. 
Greeting in the Name of the Lord : — 

DEAR BRETHREN :— 

Ten years ago the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the 
founding of the First Presbyterian Church and Society was cele- 
brated, and you aided us so royally then that we are encouraged 
now to ask you to join in a less elaborate commemoration of the 
erection of our meeting-house in 1756. At that time it was re- 
garded as the most spacious edifice of its kind in New England ; 
for which reason, as well as on other grounds, it was often used in 
connection with evemts of general religious or patriotic importance. 
What is familiarly styled the "Old South Meeting-house" is 
the oldest house of worship in this region. Its history will be told 
by the Pastor, on the evening of the third Sabbath in December 
(December i6th, 1906), at 7.30 o'clock. Other parts of the service 
will be taken by the pastors of those churches whence we came 
forth and of those that went forth from us ; and they, and all other 
ministers and congregations are invited to attend, as far as may be 
consistent with their own more immediate plans and duties. 
Wishing you grace, mercy, and peace, we remain, 

Sincerely yours, 
HORACE C. HOVEY, Pastor, 
WILLIAM BINLEY, Clerk of the Church, 
WILLIAM E. CHASE, Chairman of the Society Committee. 
Newburyport, Mass., December i, 1906. 



THE SERMON 



Text: — Genesis, 28-17, 'This Is None Other but the House 
of God, and This Is the Gate of Heaven." 

Ten years ago was celebrated the 150th anniversary of the 
founding of the First Presbyterian Church of Newburyport ; today 
we commemorate the erection of its historic Old South Meeting 
House in 1756. We are also mindful of the fact that this is the 
birthday of its illustrious founder, George Whitefield, who was 
born Dec. 16, 1714, and whose remains are held here as a sacred 
trust. 

When the fugitive Jacob uttered the words of the text, the 
rude cromlech he had reared amid the rocky wastes of Syria was 
the only true "house of God" on the globe ; and as such it was the 
precursor of every tabernacle, temple, synagogue, cathedral, 
chapel and meeting house of any kind in all Christendom. How 
little he may have realized it. Probably he thought that he built 
his primitive Bethel just for God and himself; yet it was a heritage 
for all who love the Lord. 

Thus the lowly beginnings of any one of our New England 
colonies are the common heritage of those who come after them. 
It is estimated that there are now about 500,000 inhabitants of the 
magnificent valley of the Merrimac, between this city and Lake- 
port. And whether they all realize it or not, every one of them 
ought to regard with reverence and gratitude those pious pioneers 
who landed from open boats on a June Sabbath, in 1635, on the 
north shore of the Quascacunquen river, now the Parker, 100 rods 



4 SESQUI-CENTENNIAL 

below the bridge that today spans the stream ; and true to their 
faith assembled under a majestic oak, heard a sermon by Rev. 
Thomas Parker, and entered into a solemn covenant with God. If 
that brave old oak were standing, it would be for us what Plym- 
outh Rock is for the sons of the Pilgrims. With Parker for pas- 
tor, and Rev. James Noyes as teacher, they laid the foundations on 
which subsequent generations have built institutions of religion 
and learning that are the glory of all the towns and cities which 
sprang from that remote beginning. 

A rolling drum, instead of a church-going bell, called the pion- 
eers to their log meeting house, all the men armed "with muskets, 
matches, powder and bullets," to repel any sudden foe. By law 
no dwelling could stand more than half a mile from the sanctuary. 
It was ordered that "every householder, both men and women, must 
sit in those seats that are appointed them during their lives." Such 
rigid rules had to be modified, of course, but they show the spirit 
of our sires, and also explain the tenacity with which they held on 
to those, who, under new conditions, wanted to occupy, not only 
other seats, but other houses of worship. 

For 63 years there was only one church in Newbury. Yet we 
are not to infer that all was peace. Forty pages, octavo, in fine 
print, are taken up, in Coffin's History of Newbury, with the de- 
tails of strife as to church polity ; and it is the lamentable fact that 
each of the older churches of the community was torn away from 
the mother church. We have no wish to revive or review those 
ancient controversies. To some degree they may have been neces- 
sary in the interest of religious liberty. We refer to them only for 
the reason that it has been the custom to speak of 
"The Presbyterian schism," as if ours was the only so- 
ciety that parted irregularly from the parent stock ; where- 
as we were not "sinners above all other Galileans." The 
trouble grew from the system of parish taxation, which 
bore very hard on us, for the reason that four different parishes, 
namely, the First, the Third, the Byfield and the Salisbury ones, 
insisted on our paying taxes to them after we had set up for our- 
selves, (as our records show) and relief did not come till we made 
a formal appeal to the king, the official copy of which is amid our 
archives, setting forth grievances enough to astonish the reader, 
and amply justify our course as taken. 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 5 

Preliminary to our main task it may interest you to learn the 
exact dates of the principal houses of worship in this community. 
As you are aware, the First Presbyterian, or "Old South" meeting 
house was erected in 1756, to take the place of a small chapel of 
which we shall speak more fully presently. The fifth meeting- house 
of the Oldtown church was built in 1868, across the street from the 
site of its predecessors ; the Prospect street meeting house was 
built in 1793; the Second Presbyterian in 1796; St. Paul's Episco- 
pal in 1800; the First Rehgious Society, or Unitarian, (formerly 
the third of Newbury), in 1801 ; the Advent church in 1858 ; the 
Baptist was built in 1848, and remodeled in 1873 ; the People's M. 
E. church, in 1825, was enlarged in 1871 and 1888; the 
Washington street M. E. church in 1867; the North Congrega- 
tional in 1861 ; the Belleville Congregational in 1867; Christ's' 
Chapel in 1886; the Church of the Immaculate Conception was 
dedicated in 1853 ; and the Church of St. Aloysius de Gonzaga in 
1905. All these dates refer to the present edifices ; and no men- 
tion is made of such as no longer exist, or have been put to 
some secular use. 

Reasons exist why each religious body should cherish its own 
sanctuary, and each has a history worth telling. Differing as we 
do in doctrine and in polity, we agree in trying to bring men to 
God ; and so far as any congregation does this, its building, of 
whatever name, is "none other but the House of God and Gate of 
Heaven." 

Permit a few words concerning the chapel on High street that 
was our Sabbath home during the first 14 years of our career. 
The date of its erection as found on our memorial tablet is said to 
have been 1743. In this we followed the statements made in the 
historical sermons by my predecessors. But Cofftn and Currier 
agree in fixing it in 1742, instead of 1743; quoting as proof a let- 
ter written by Rev. Matthias Plant to Dr. Bearcroft of London, 
dated Feb. 15, 1743, in which he speaks of it as having been erect- 
ed "since July, 1742," adding that it was remarkably flourishing, 
its minister having at a single communion added 53 new names to 
his list of members. We may therefore accept 1742 as correct, in- 
stead of 1743. 

High street was then known as Norfolk street, on which the 
chapel stood, in the "Story garden," between Lime street, as since 



6 SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 

laid out, and Chandler's lane, later called Prison street, because the 
jail was on it, then King street, and finally, as now Federal street. 
A member of the Story family told me that she remembered see- 
ing the old foundations in their garden in her girlhood. The loca- 
tion was admirable, and might have been wisely retained to the 
present time. 

Those who worshipped in it were styled "Newlights," and also 
"Joppaites." Previous to its erection they had met in "Mr. John 
Brown's barn," and then "at the house of one Simon by the sea- 
side ;" whence possibly the nickname of "Joppa," which was at- 
tached to a region bounded by Rolfe's' lane (now Ocean avenue) 
and Cottle's lane (now Bromfield street). Joppa and Belleville 
were annexed under those names to Newburyport in 185 1. 

Moody D. Cook, in his address before the Ladies' and Gentle- 
men's Association, in 1862, remarks that "the first meeting house 
was a small building and withal a plam one built at a trifling ex- 
pense ; and consequently it became in a few years dilapidated." 
But w^e add that, small and plain as it may have been, it was a 
place of refuge for the followers of Whitefield when all other doors 
were closed against them and their renowned leader. Rev. S. P. 
Williams relates, in his anniversary sermon in 1826, that, when 
Whitefield was preaching in front of it, a stone hurled at him near- 
ly struck the Bible from his hand. His reply to this brutal assault 
was worthy of his divine Master : "I have a warrant from God to 
preach. His seal (holding up the Bible) is in my hand ; and I stand 
in the king's highway." Splendid declaration of religious freedom ! 
For two years these persecuted people sought in vain for a fair 
hearing. An "ex parte council" gave them what would now be re- 
garded by every one as their sacred rights ; but they waited long 
for proper recognition. Meanwhile they were ably ministered to 
by Rev. Joseph Adams of Byfield, a twin brother of Rev. Benja- 
min Adams, sons of Captain Abraham Adams, who lived where 
his descendant George W, Adams lives now. The captain was a 
man of enterprise, who built and launched coasting vessels from 
the river in front of his house. Mrs. Adams was Anne Longfellow, 
a niece of Samuel Sewell. Joseph's brother. Samuel Adams, quaintly 
testified, "I Igenerally find the Lord graciously visits me under the 
means of grace used in the new congregation of Christians." In 
preparing the historical tablet recently placed on our walls it was 



sesqui-ceAtennial 7 

felt that prominence should be given to Rev. Joseph Adams, who, 
thoug-h never a pastor here, paved the way for those that came af- 
ter him. He was a brave pioneer, even though it may have been 
said of him that he was "more zealous than discreet." 

Preparatory to more aggressive and permanent work his peo- 
ple, on the 25th of November, 1745, formed what they styled, "A 
new society for the settlement of the gospel ministry," and their 
subscription list was signed by 102 names. Nineteen who had 
separated from the First Church of Newbury, signed a mutual 
covenant Jan. 3, 1746, "to walk together as a church of Christ, ac- 
cording to the rules and order of the Gospel." Four days later 
they called as pastor, by Whitefield's advice. Rev. Jonathan Par- 
sons, whom he had met at New Haven, Conn., in 1740, and with 
whom he had formed a fast friendship which lasted till he finally 
expired in his arms. Accordingly Mr. Parsons was "liberated" 
from his church at Lyme, Conn., accepted the call, and on March 
12, 1746, was installed over the flock that worshipped in the 
chapel on High street. 

There was no council, for no church was in fellowship with 
them. They were not yet identified with the only Presbytery in 
New England, just formed by two ministers who stood sus- 
pended for sympathy with Whitelield, together with a third whom 
these two ordained with the aid of Jonathan Edwards. Hence they 
acted immediately though voting to join the new Presbytery on 
certain conditions and with certain reserved rights, which at a 
later date were fully granted. 

The pastor elect preached from I Peter, 5 :2, "Steadfast in 
the faith." He then offered his testimonials, which were approved. 
Then with the uplifted hand Mr. Parsons said, "In the presence of 
God and these witnesses, I take this people to be my people." The 
congregation arose, and their clerk, John Brown, on their behalf, 
said, "In the presence of God and these witnesses, we take this 
man to be our minister." Thus people and pastor were married 
until parited by death. The record reads that when they finally 
joined the Presbytery it was "both by choice and by compulsion." 
It was by the advice not only of ;\\''Jiitefield, but also of friend- 
ly ministers like Mr. Jewett of Rowley, and Daniel Rogers of 
Ipswich, as the best way. 

On the other hand the First and Third churches of 



8 SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 

Newbury, from whom had gone out the majority of those 
who formed the new church, frowned on it as a mis- 
guided band, withheld regular letters of admission, and 
the Third church appointed a special day of fasting and 
prayer on the sad occasion. The "low and vulgar" pelted Par- 
sons and Whitefield with clods and stones; and the town officials 
handled roughly those who refused to pay taxes for a ministry 
from which they had withdrawn. The ignominies inflicted would 
be incredible were it not for the proofs on file. Indeed they be- 
came so serious as to lead the Presbyterians to draw up a formal 
remonstrance to King George. 

In a letter by Mr. Parsons accompanying the remonstrance, 
he says that his church had "more poor widows than all the other 
congregations in town put together ; left so by the death of their 
husbands in the Capt. Breton expedition." What a chapter of sor- 
row is thus condensed. Yet the congregation outgrew its chapel 
till it had the courage to plan and build what was then the largest 
meeting house on the continent, being loo feet long by 60 feet in 
width in the clear. Willard J. Hale, Esq., register of deeds, 
kindly gave me transcripts of the deeds conveying the 
ground to "the owners of the pews that shall be in the 
meeting house that shall be built on said land," dated 
April 12, 1756, namely one lot sold to them by Jona- 
than Beck, for 2)7 pounds, and ano.her by Parker Noyes for 76 
pounds, three shillings and four pence, making a total cost of 113 
pounds, three shillings and four pence ; the land being on Chand- 
ler's lane (now Federal street), and "a way two rods wide," to 
which in 1764 the name of School street was given. Additional 
land was bought in 1810 where the sexton's cottage stands, and for 
the chapel. 

The heavy frame work of oak, from timbers grown on the 
grounds of some of the members, and which has stood unchanged 
for 150 years, was raised, according to Caleb Greenleaf's almanac, 
"beginning July 5, and finishing on the 7th, and not one oath 
heard and nobody hurt." The timbers are still visible in the ves- 
tibule, and under the floor, and in the roof, rough-hewn as they 
were. The nails were all of wrought iron. The tower 
was not finished till two years later, and with the loss 
of one workman, Samuel Pettingell, who fell from the staging 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 9 

and was killed. After the frame was raised, the people gathered 
to hear a sermon by Rev. John Moorehead of Boston, from the 
text, "And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto 
him, I have heard thy prayer and have chosen this place to myself 
for a house of sacrifice, (II Chron. 7:12). And that was the first 
of all the thousands of sermons that have been delivered in this 
sanctuary. 

Swift work was done, for the house was fully enclosed by 
August 15th, when the first sermon by the pastor was delivered 
from the entire 1226. Psalm. The record reads, "August 19 and 
20, we pulled down our old meeting house," that is, the chapel on 
Norfolk, now High, street. 

For 73 years the inner arrangements remained the same, and 
they are worthy of description. The main entrance was on School 
street, whence a broad aisle went to ithe pulpit, and another ran 
in front of the wall pews. The pulpit was higher than now and 
above it hung a sounding board. At the head of the pulpit stairs 
was a recess v/ich a seat for the sexton, who sat there during ser- 
vice. The house was lighted by two-story windows that have 
since been cut into single long windows. The dependence at 
evening meetings was on tallow candles, and it was the sexton's 
duty to see that they were properly snuffed. What a contrast to 
our modern briUiant methods of illumination. In front of the pul- 
pit were seats for the ruling elders, and in front of them again 
were seats for the deacons; and what is more they were always oc- 
cup'ed. After the death of Whitefield his tomb was just in front of 
the deacons' seats. Square pews were the prevailing style; of 
which 140 were on the main floor. There were six or more free 
slips in the gallery and others on the main floor. The entrances to 
the galleries were back of where the organ and the pulpit now 
stand. There were 100 pews in the galleries. 

In the ear'ier days the singing was congregational. Probably 
the "Psalms and Hymns" by Isaac Watts was the book first in 
use. But when "Watrs and Select" appeared in 1823, it was 
adopted and continued in use till our present hymn book, Robin- 
son's '"Spiritual Songs," came out in 1883. At first it was the cus- 
tom for the psalm or hymn to be "Uned out" by a deacon and then 
sung by the people. 

Some finally rebelled and sang the psalm right through, while 



lO SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 

Others waited loyally for the "lining- out." The result was the for- 
mation of a choir, with gallery seats on one side for men and on 
the other for women. The tunes were set by a pitch-pipe till Mr. 
Dana's day when violin, bass-viol, clarinet and bassoon came in ; 
and we find among our files of receipts those for the sums paid to 
the players on these instruments. 

Near the choir were seats for the "children of the asylum" 
cared for by an association of ladies. Tything men sat near by, 
with their rods of office wherewith to touch naughty boys. The 
"negro pews" remain 'to this day, that once were occupied by 
slaves, whose owners' names we know from our assessors' 
books. These pews were open in front but boarded up at the side. 
There were some 25 slaves owned among us. 

Parsons and Murray always preached in gown and bands; 
and the former was fond of line clothes, ruffled shirt fronts, silk 
Stockings and gold lace. Yet those early pastors were wonder- 
fully prevalent in prayer, and the people trusted in a prayer-hear- 
ing God who took a real interest in their every day life. Requests 
were sent up during the second singing, as many sometimes as 40 
or more, which the pastor would classify for mention in his long 
prayer. Some requests were pathetic, telling of domestic bereave- 
ment, others were for men or ships at sea, while others were pecu- 
liar or even whimsical. One of the latter class has come down to 
us, that a man sent up for his wife, "Jemima requests prayers for 
herself, being in a terrible pickle." Another man asked for prayer 
because he was going to New York City. 

The solemnity of the services was marred by the fact that the 
seats were hung on hinges, and were lifted while the people stood 
in time of prayer, and then were apt to fall with a "bang" at the 
Amen. Hence printed slips were attached to each pew, reading 
thus : "Persons are requested to Hft their seats and let them down 
without noise." 

These seats were unpainted and without cushions ; yet peo- 
ple sat on them to hear sermons from one to two hours long, and 
often highly doctrinal ; as for instance Murray's sermon on "The 
Origin of Evil," filling in its printed form 100 pages octavo ; and 
his sermon on "Justification by Imputed Righteousness," filling 
135 pages octavo. Only think of it, ye who want a minister to tell 
all he knows in 25 minutes and to skip the hard places at that ! In 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAL H 

those days there were no frescoed walls, or painted curtains, or 
mural tablets to distract the attention. The walls were simply 
whitewashed, and the floors were guiltless of carpets. 

In winter each family would have in its pew one or more foot 
stoves for the use of the women and of the aged men ; and the 
snoving to and fro of these little stoves over the bare floor caused 
a constant disturbance throughout the meeting house. We re- 
cently found a stack of them stored away in the attic, but they 
have mysteriously disappeared. Thus it was for 63 years, and yet 
the church was crowded. Finally, on the 25th of December, 1819, 
a special parish meeting was called, which, on December 29th, 
"voted $100 to provide stove or stoves to warm the house." But 
alas, Mr. Milton's church met one day earlier, and sent a commit- 
tee to buy the only stoves to be had, and our people were obliged 
to wait a while. Finally we bought two "plain stoves," which were 
put in the broad aisle ; one near the door, with a long pipe running 
under the southeast gallery and finding outlet through a window ; 
and the other near the pulpit with a pipe running in the opposite 
direction under the northeast gallery. Mr. Cook relates, 
from his own memory, that as the pipes were not duly 
connected no fire was made in them on the first Sabbath after 
their being put in place ; "yet an opposer was so affected by the 
imaginary heat, that he fainted, and was carried out of the church." 
We came across an anonymous rescription of the incident among 
other documents that was extremely funny. A difficulty naturally 
arose as to the draught of stoves rigged as we have described ; and 
after fighting with smoke and soot for a season the bright idea oc- 
curred to the fathers to build chimneys into which the stove pipes 
led instead of going out the windows. When the building was re- 
modeled a little later, the large niches visible each side of the main 
entrance were occupied by the stoves, and the pipes ran across to 
the chimney at the rear, a plan still in vogue in some of our sister 
churches. 

Bishop Clarke, in a letter to the speaker, mentions what I do 
not remember seeing elsewhere described, namely, "a unique chan- 
delier, the like of which was never seen in any other building." Dr. 
George Clarke, his brother, speaks of "sponge-like ornaments on 
the ceiling above the chandelier," which were his frequent study in 
boyhood. 



12 SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 

In these days, when we aim to have a Bible in every house and 
to have it read in every school, it seems strange that it should ever 
have been regarded as improper in any of our Protestant churches ; 
yet it was not read from the pulpit of the Third parish prior to 
1750, nor from that of the First parish till authorized by a vote 
reached after a long discussion, April 19, 1769, in these words, 
"that it is agreeable to the church that the Scriptures be read in 
public." In the Presbyterian service the Bible was always publicly 
read ; and we still keep in our pulpit the so-called "Whitefield 
Bible," given by Ralph Cross, though at a later day laid aside for 
the more modern one presented by Moses Pettingell. 

The first bell was bought in 1772, as proved by papers on file; 
though not "raised to the top of the steeple" till 1785, at which 
time the first itower clock was also set in place, though the his- 
tory of neither bell nor clock is fully known. The old dials were 
hexagonal, and had but a single hand, an arrow, marking the hours 
— the minutes might take care of themselves. The bell we now 
have was cast in 1802 by Paul Revere, and was bought in 1803, and 
we hold the autograph receipt of Paul Revere among our treas- 
ures. 

From the earliest period of church history our risen Lord is 
supposed to have broken from the tomb at early cock-crowing ; 
and on thousands of spires the "bird of dawn" has been mounted 
as an emblem of the resurrection. The cock on our spire was put 
there in 1759, and is therefore 147 years old. Several times he 
has been taken down to be gilded and set back again. Two such 
occasions are memorable. In 1848 it was curiously decreed that 
the spire was unsafe, though of one solid piece of white oak, taper- 
ing from base to top. The saw was freely used, pulleys and snaltch- 
blocks were rigged, and horses and oxen tried to pull it down. 
The horses took fright and started so suddenly that the spire fell 
point downward into Federal street. While in mid-air the cock 
slipped from his perch and flew, like a thing of life, to Spring 
street, where he alighted with slight harm. A new spire having 
been built. Captain Nathan Plumer, aided by Mr. Philip Lord, 
hoisted the weather-cock to his place once more. Before coming 
down Captain Plumer slapped it on the side, shouting, "Good bye, 
old bird." It remained undisturbed for 20 years. 

In 1868 Mr. Hartwell Baker, brougliit up by George W. Hale, 



SESQUI-CBNTENNIAI, 13 

and for a time in the employ of Jos. B. Creasey, painter, repainted 
the meeting house. He managed the steeple by rigging, with no 
staging. The weather-cock was taken down and gilded anew. It 
was found to be of copper, and Mr. Baker tells me it weighs 86 
pounds, which does not agree with another statement that it 
weighs 56 pounds. It is hollow, and its sides have been pierced 
and patched for putting within sundry coins, notes, pictures and 
relics, which are probably there today. When the bird was replaced 
on its lofty perch the schools and factories were stopped, and a 
grea^t crowd stood to see the performance. The brass band played 
while, at 2 p. m., Mr. Baker mounted astride the rooster and 
whirled it around. Mr. Hiram Macintosh was a witness to this 
feat and took a picture of the daring rider. 

But the people — ah, the people, underneath that steeple! 
What throngs there were ! Dr. Vermilye says that, as far back as 
1749, 1000 souls worshipped as best they could in the High street 
chapel. That may be an exaggeration. But I find a list of heads 
of families remaining after the exodus of the Prospect street and 
Second Presbyterian churches ; and they numbered 216. And al- 
lowing five to a family, a fair allowance in those good old days, 
that list would stand for over 1000 adherents young and old. They 
came from all pants of Newbury and from Rowley, Byfield and 
Salisbury. 

Hence it is not incredible that, on special occasions, many 
thousands flocked to this meeting house. A Portsmouth paper 
having stated that 15,000 attended Whitefield's funeral, the Essex 
Gazette conscientiously cuts the number down to 3000. Whereupon 
a Newburyport writer for the Massachusetts Gazette figures that 
"fully 10,000 persons were within said house, including the steeple 
and porch." When the Y. M. C. A. held a state convention here, 
a few years ago, every seat above and below was crowded ; and by 
count there were only 1200 in the house. Remembering that the 
audience room used to include the vestibule, and that there were 
140 numbered square pews on the main floor, and that the galleries 
were much deeper than now, we can credit the assertion that, on 
fair Sabbaths, Mr. Murray's usual audience numbered 2000. The 
record concerning the ordination of Rev. Samuel J. Mills, and his 
comrades as missionaries, is that 1500 were in the house, and as 



14 SESQUI-CENTENNIAI. 

many more outside ; while at the communion tables 700 or 800 sat 
down, and from 100 to 200 ministers were present. 

During the pastorates of Parsons, Murray, Dana and Wil- 
liams, the meeting house retained its earlier from and size. In its 
broad aisle, at the call of Parsons, stood forth Ezra Lunt and his 
men, on the identical day when the colonial congress voted to 
raise an army for the Revolution ; 'thus proving our claim that this 
was the first company enlisted in said army. Here at a later day, 
the gallant Murray who had himself served as chaplain, and on 
whose head the British had set a price of 500 guineas, rallied the 
drooping spirits of a regiment so tha't they to a man re-enlisted. 
Here Murray preached his Thanksgiving sermon on "J^rubaal, or 
Tyranny's Grove Destroyed and the Altar of Liberty Founded" — 
perhaps the most eloquent sermon ever preached in New England. 
And from these doors went forth the Presbytery of the Eastward 
to greet Washington in 1789 and the official copy of his reply 
turned up a few months ago. Major General Samuel Holden Par- 
sons, son of the first pastor, was one of Washington's most trusted 
friends, the value of whose services has been fully proved by the 
researches of the Sons of the American Revolution. 

The list would be a long one that should name all the laymen 
of note. Prominent among them were Ralph Cross, Jonathan 
Greenleaf, Richard Pike, William Coombs, Benjamin Harrod, 
Enoch Titcomb, Moses Pettingell, Hugh Pritchard, the Wheel- 
wrights, Peabodys, the Bartletts, the Simpsons, the Clarks, the 
Cushings, the Boardmans, and a host of others, not forgetting 
Lord Timothy Dexter. You will find their honored names on the 
pew charts that hang in our vestry. What volumes might be writ- 
ten as to their illustrious achievements. How proudly our older 
people tell of the time when "a sea captain sat at the end of every 
seat down the broad aisle ;" and how thrilling their story told in 
the history of the Marine Society compiled by Captains Bayley and 
Jones, members of this congregation. 

What another long list might be made of the mothers, wives 
and sisters of those ruling elders, deacons, soldiers, seamen, and 
statesmen. We find thait, long before the famous "Boston tea par- 
ty" in 1773, the women of Newburyport met April 22, 1768, at the 
house of Rev. Mr. Parsons, spun for his good wife 270 skeins of 
good yarn, heard him preach from Proverbs 31 :i9; then spurning 



SESQUI-CKNTENNIAI, I5 

tea that carried a British stamp, they drank Labrador tea, made 
from a local herb, and went home before dark. Their example 
was praised by the Boston Gazette, and thenceforward Labrador 
tea was sold everywhere. 

In later years such women were here as Miss Phoebe Harrod, 
the centenarian, and founder of 'the first Sabbath schools in this 
place ; Mrs. Jane Greenleaf, who is said to have brought loo souls 
to Christ, and her daug^hter, Miss Mary C. Greenleaf, missionary 
to the Choctaws ; Miss Hannah Gould, the poetess, and a host of 
other noble women. 

We do not know the cost of the orig-inal edifice. A volume of 
records containinsf this, and much other important information, 
was carried to a distant city some years ago by a person who, in 
letters to Dr. Vermilye ,claimed his right to do so. Nor do we 
know the cost of the extensive alterations made in 1829. They 
may be fairly inferred, however, from a subscription list I have 
come across for the proposed "Monumental Temple," in 1827, in 
honor of iWjhitefield. It was headed by Abraham Wheelwright, 
and has the names of y^ i" a^'* whose total subscriptions amounted 
to $6090. The scheme was to tear down the old house and build 
anew of brick and stone. Dr. Proudfit, who was pastor at the 
time, was to go to England and obtain supplementary subscrip- 
tions, and the result was to be something grand. But the project 
did not meet with due encouragement. Accordingly the ancient 
building was thoroughly renovated, and to some degree modern- 
ized. The square pews were removed and long ones put in ; the 
audience room was shortened by making the vestibule ; the ceiling 
was lowered ; the pulpit was shifted from the side to the end where 
it now stands ; new and narrower galleries were put in ; a crypt 
was made under the pulpit to which were removed the remains of 
Rev. Messrs. Whitefield, Parsons and Prince, from the tomb 
where they had been ; and a costly cenotaph was erected to White- 
field's memory, designedby Strickland, executed by Struthers, 
with an inscription by Professor Ebenezer Porter, and the expense 
was met by William Bartlet, Esq. We find Isaac Johnson's bill for 
painting two coffins for the remains of Whitefield and Parsons, 
being two dollars ; and a similar charge of two dollars for "clean- 
ing out and whitewashing the tomb and removing their remains." 
John Moody's bill for making the coffins was eight dollars. Think 



l6 SESQUI-CENTKNNIAI, 

of it ! A man who by right, should lie in .Westminister Abbey, 
resting in a whitewashed crypt and in a painted coffin ! Our 
Whitefield relics are not many. We have his Bible, his desk, his 
autograph, his picture, his bronze bust, and his body — what is left 
of it, including that stolen arm. But what is all this worth, unless 
we have at least a portion of his consecrated spirit and fervid zeal 
for the Master? 

The ministrations of Proudfit, Stearns and six years of Ver- 
milye's pastorate, were in the edifice as made over in 1829. Ex- 
tensive alterations and repairs were again made in 1856, on which 
occasion Dr. Vermilye preached an historical sermon now out of 
print, but that is a rich mine of material for successors. It was also 
marked by laying anew the corner s^tone with impressive ceremo- 
nies. The cost of the renovation in his day was $5500 the unpaid 
portion of which was assumed by the Ladies' and Gentlemen"s As- 
sociation. The frescoing by an Italian named Philip Guelpa, was 
admirably done along colonial lines. Tastes differed as to the 
painted hangings back of the pulpft, but the general sentiment is 
that of decided approval. The pulpit and doors and woodwork in 
the vestibule were grained ; but a better taste has since had them 
repainted. The fine mahogany trimmings are left in their natural 
color. Amid these surroundings have been enjoyed the min- 
istrations of Vermilye, Richardson, Durfee, Newell, Wallace, Sin- 
clair, and the present pastor. From time to time minor repairs 
have been made ; but amid all changes, certain things have re- 
mained as of old ; particularly the oak framework, the negro pews, 
the remarkable whispering gallery and the costly sacramental sil- 
ver. 

Adjoining the meeting house have been the serviceable chap- 
els. The first fronted on Beck street and cost $300. In it, as we 
have ample proof, was started the first Sabbath school on the 
modern plan, in 1814. In it was also started the first Roman Catho- 
lic church in Newburyport ; to whom it was sold and removed to 
Charles street in 1843. ^^ that same year a new chapel was built, 
fronting on School street, afterward enlarged, and a memorial class 
room added and halls connecting it with the main room. In this 
chapel was formed the youngest of our daughters, under the min- 
istry of the member of this church, Rev. John W. Emerson, tht 
evening service being in the main room with a great congregation. 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 1 7 

Many members from the Second Presbyterian church also joined 
it ; and with the best of motives, but somewhat to the confusion ol 
historical facts, it took the honored name of the Whitefield Con- 
gregational church, which it carries today. 

The church music has already been referred to, but we refer 
to it again, to say that in 1795, forty pounds were voted for a sing- 
ing school and similar appropriations were subsequently made. 
Elder Jeremiah Pearson, who had long pitched the tunes and lined 
out the psalms, entered his written remonstrance against anthems 
and fugues, but in vain. The choir had their way. 

The first pipe organ brought to America was selected by the 
great musician, George Frederick Handel, was imported by Mr. 
Thomas Brattle, was left by him to King's Chapel, Boston, and 
was brought to Newburyport in 1756, and used in St. Paul's church 
till they wanted a larger one and offered it to this society, which 
had already bought a small organ in 1828, and wished to exchange 
it for another. The offer was declined, and the Handel organ was 
sold in 1836, for $400, to St. John's church, Portsmouth, in whose 
vestry it remains in good repair. We bought our second organ 
in 1838 for $1400 and sold it at half price in 1866, when the organ 
now in use was bought for $3800 of Hook & Hastings of Boston, 
by whom it has recently been put into thorough repair at a con- 
siderable outlay. 

We have recognized, as a society, that we had a two-fold obli- 
gation ; first to support the stated means of grace, for our own 
sake and that of our offspring. This is our immediate duty, and 
in its discharge there has adways been a happy agreement between 
the Session and the officers of the Society. Then in the second 
place we have the custody of this ancient historic meeting-house, 
not merely for ourselves but for the sake of the community, who 
ought to wish to see it kept in repair irrespective of its use as a 
house of worship ; just as patriots wish to retain Faneuil Hall, the 
old State House in Boston, and other historic edifices. 

Hence we rejoice in all that has been done in this direction, 
whether by gift or legacy, by our own people or by our friends. 
Shortly after the beginning of my pastorate the old tower clock 
that had done duty for a century, was replaed by a "memorial 
clock," costing with its fixtures, about $1000, the generous gift of 
the late Dr. Daniel T. Plumer, and his three sisters, in memory of 



l8 SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 

their brother, the late Mr. Albert Plumer. It was started in mo- 
tion at noon on New Year's day, 1895. A marble mural tablet in 
memory of the pastors was erected by the late John T. Brown, 
Esq., at a cost of some $500. The late Miss Elizabeth C. Frost 
had the church and chapel reshingled and new windows of the old 
style put into the main building, at an estimated total cost of $1000. 
Miss Frost also gave a fire-proof safe for the preservation of offi- 
cial records and documents. Sundry donors have given portraits 
of the pastors, and a pastor's library, the money value of which 
can hardly be stated. 

As our meeting house verged upon its 150th anniversary, tht 
society committee, consisting of Messrs. W. E. Chase, O. O. Jones 
and G. B. Pettingell, saw the necessity of certain repairs. A new 
chimney must be built ; a new foundation must be laid under the 
north wall ; the tower and belfry needed attention ; new furnaces 
were demanded ; and all this represented a large outlay. Mean- 
while the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Association organized in 1851, 
and mainly to look after the parsonage, undertook interior im- 
provements. Of this association Mrs. A. B. Adams is president, 
Mrs. Harry W. Bayley secretary, and Miss Frances A. Howard 
treasurer. A committee on renovation was appointed, consisting 
of Messrs. W. E. Chase, Alexander J. Perkins, and George H. 
Jaques, and Mrs. J. W:. Winder, Mrs. Harry W. Bayley, Mrs. Ab- 
bie L. Bray and Mrs. T. Y. Cotton. Mrs. Winder was made the 
special treasurer of the repair fund, and we would like to extol 
what she has done if she would permit us to do so. Sundry sup- 
pers, concerts, socials, lectures, fairs and other entertainments 
were instrumental in raising $775. A number of these entertain- 
ments were gotten up by the children under the able leadership of 
Mrs. John M. Bailey. Individual donations varying from $1 to 
$100 each were made by members of the congregation. The late 
Mrs. J. A, Greely testified her interest in the work by a lagacy ol 
$500, shortly to be available. Several large sums came from 
friends either out of town, or else identified with other churches. 
Of these especial mention shuld be made of $1000 from Mr. Jacob 
F. Brown of Boston, $200 from Mrs. Georgiana W. Perry, $100 
from Dr. A. G, Vermilye, $100 from the sons of Rev. W. W. New- 
ell, $200 from Mr. Edward Graves, $100 from Mrs. Bachmann and 
Mrs. Bernheimer, $100 from Mrs. F. A. V. Ingersoll, besides 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, I9 

smaller sums from other donors. Captain Charles W. Brown of 
Pittsburgh, besides his check for $ioo, made a generous offer tow- 
ard the painting, that remains to be done. Thus from all sources 
enough has come in to pay for interior and exterior improve- 
ments ,as already done, with the exception of a small debt tempo- 
rarily met by a loan. 

Besides repairs, etc. already described, many of which are just 
as important as if they were not out of sight, we mention the re- 
painting of the interior, the re-adjustment of the floor and the 
pews ; repairs on the organ ; the new plastering on a considerable 
portion of the ceihng ; the refrescoing of the walls and ceiling ; the 
new carpet and new upholstering ; the historical panel ; besides 
many minor touches that amount to a great deal in 'the aggregate. 
We should be glad to give credit to each of the skillful workmen 
who have enabled this result to be accomplished. But we cannot 
do otherwise than praise the artistic frescoing under the hand of 
Mr. John D. Adams, the masonry by Mr. Edgar J. Batchelder, and 
the carperitry by Mr. Timothy Y. Cotton. The expert ideas of 
Captain Perkins, the patience, wisdom, fidelity and tact of the 
several officers and members of the repair committee, amid diffi- 
cult conditions, can hardly be too highly praised. 

Putting 'together what has been done by the society and the 
Ladies' and Gentlemen's Associa'tion, the entire outlay cannot fall 
short of $5000 for recent renovations. Adding to this sum the cost 
of the tower clock, the mural tablet, the repairs on the building 
during the present pastorate amount to not far from $8000; a 
much larger sum than was expended in the repairs done in 1856, 
and fully as much as was done in 1829. My statements are made 
with the figures before me, and cannot be far from correct. Ar- 
rangements are made for the painting and other outside repairs; 
and it is estimated that, when all is done, the debt of the society, 
including some arrears on current expenses, will not exceed $2000, 
and it ought to be much less than this, if such liberality as has al- 
ready been shown shall continue to be manifested. And you will 
allow me to say, as one somewhat familiar with church work, that 
this is a remarkable showing, and one by which all concerned 
might well feel encouraged. 

I could wish that we might be able to say what this old church 
has done in its lifetime for work outside its own immediate bounds. 



20 SESQUI-CKUTKNNIAI, 

It may not be amiss to say that a fund of about $5000 for city 
missions left years ago by Mrs. Sarah M, Emery, has been nursed 
by the trustees appointed by our parish until it amounts to about 
$18,500, supports for the benefit of the city at large our efficient 
and beloved missionary Rev. Alexander Dixon. Nor may it be 
wrong to remind you that three sister churches which have gone 
out from us share with us in much of the more early hisftory related 
on this anniversary occasion. Nor may it show any other than art 
honest pride to say that, during the 160 years and more of our 
church life we have steadily and loyally given largely to the boards 
of the denomination, and to local charities of every kind, (many 
of which were originated by our pastors and laymen) and we have 
never in our history called for, or received aid from any board 
or similar source. We have been self-reliant, except as we have, in 
dark days and bright ones, relied on Him whom we try to serve 
faithfully as was done by former generations. 

Times have changed; our environment is far different from 
what it was when every cottage and mansion about us was a Yan- 
kee home ; our resources are far less than in those halcyon days 
when every pew in the house was taken and a sea captain sat at 
the end of every pew down the broad aisle. Those days can never 
come again. But these days are here ; days when America is mod- 
ern, greater, more opulent than ever seemed possible to 
the minds of our sires. Our heritage is still in hand, and it is 
something that any church in America might prize. If sacrifice 
must be made to maintain what a good God has given us, let us 
take courage, assured that if the liberal deviseth liberal things, by 
liberal things he shall stand. 

We welcome all who have come here this wintry night. We 
thank you for all you have done for us by your sympathy as well 
as by your substantial aid. For your sake, as well as our own, and 
above all, for Christ's sake, we shall try to be loyal to the trust re- 
posed in us through coming years. 

This discourse, it should be observed, has mainly dealt with 
the ancient meeting house and what strictly belongs to it. We 
honor the godly men and women of former days, and love and es- 
teem the men and women of today. We might have said much as 
to the ministration of the Word of God, the social life of the 
church, its Sabbath school, its meetings for prayer, its Christian 



SESQUI-CKNTENNIAL 21 

Endeavor Society, its missionary societies, and its other agencies 
for spiritual work. But in closing we do most earnestly remind 
ourselves and others interested in our welfare, that God's best 
temples are not those built of wood or stone, and decorated by the 
precious woods and artistic embellishments brought by generous 
donors and skillful hands ; but they are the human hearts, within 
which dwells the Holy Spirit, the gift of our Heavenly Father and 
of His Son, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all true wor- 
ship must be rendered. May the rich blessings of the Father, Son 
and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with us throughout eternity. 
Amen I 




BUST OP GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 



APPENDIX 



At a meeting of the city pastors preparatory to Thanksgiving 
Day it was moved by Rev. Richard Wright, pastor of the Belle- 
ville Church, and unanimously voted by all present, that it would 
be acceptable to them to join in a special service on Sabbath even- 
ing, December i6th, commemorating the one hundred and fiftieth 
anniversary of the erection of the "Old South Meeting-house" of 
Newburyport ; and likewise ithat its pastor. Dr. H. C. Hovey, 
should be invited to deliver on the occasion an historical discourse. 
This gracious recognition was officially acknowledged by the Ses- 
sion and the Society's Committee; with the suggestion that the 
parts of service, aside from the sermon, should be taken by the 
minisrers of the churches from which the First Presbyterian went 
out, and those other churches that went out from it, and that all 
churches should be invited. The ministers accepted ftheir parts, 
except Rev. Laurence Hayward, of the First Religious Society, 
whose engagements prevented, and his place was filled by Rev. 
]\Ir. Wright. Friendly greetings also came from other ministers 
and laymen, who reluctantly sent their regrets. 

On the appointed evening the renovated and greatly improved 
auditorium was brilliantly illuminated and its pews and galleries 
were crowded by representatives from most of the local churches, 
besides guests from neighboring towns. In front of the pulpit 

23 



24 SESQUI-CEHTENNIAI< 

there was a tasteful floral display. The order of service was as 
follows : 

ORDER OF SERVICE 



Organ Prelude (Miss Edith Thurlow) "Romance," Op. 26 - - - Svendsen 

Call to Worship, (Psalm 122) Rev. Richard Wright. 

Invocation, Rev. Leslie C. Greeley. 

Duet, (Mrs. Emma Adams Parker and Mr. W. E. Chase, "Twilght," Nevins 

Scripture Lesson, Rev. George Plumer Merrill. 

Offertory, (MIrs. Parker and Mr. Chase,) "Send Out Thy Light," Sudd 

Prayer, Rev. Charles S. Holton. 

Solo, (Dr. G. E. L. Noyes), "The New Heaven and the New Earth," - Gaul 

Historical Sermon, Rev. Horace C. Hovey, D. D., Pastor of the Church. 

Prayer, Rev. T. James Macfaddin. 

Hymn. 

Benediction. 

Postlude, (Miss Thurlow,) Grand Chorus In B, ------- - Dubois 

The hymn for the occasion was adapted from one that was 
originally composed for our Centennial Celebration, by Hon. 
George Lunt, formerly a member of this society, and was sung by 
the congregation. 

SANCTUARY HYMN 



Thy temple stands, O God of Grace, 
Above our thought, beneath our tread. 

Its ample floor, unmeasured space. 
Its arch with worlds unsiumbered 
spread. 

This earthly temple of thy praise, 
How glorious and how dear its name! 

Thy blessing crowned its ancient days, 
Thy promised blessing stands the 
same. 

Here, on our sires, an honored race. 
Thy dews descended like the rain, 

While here they met to seek thy face, 
Nor sent a prayer to Heaven in vain. 

No gorgeous rites, nor shrines of gold, 
We in these sacred precincts see; 

But grant the fervent faith of old 
To bind us closer. Lord, to Thee! 

And here, while ages roll away. 

May children's children all appear. 

And learn to love and praise and pray, 
ATid And their God, their Savior, 
near! 



SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 25 

A tribute is due to our local historians. Hon. Caleb Gushing, 
Joshua Coffin, Esq., Dr. J. L. Ewell, Mrs. E. Vale Smith, Hon. J. 
J. Currier, and others, to whom our community is greatly indebted 
for the preservation of facts. Mention is also made of anniversary 
discourses by Rev. S. P. Williams in 1826; Dr. J. F. Stearns in 
1846; and Dr. A. G. Vermilye, in 1856 (interleaved by useful 
notes) ; of my compilation in 1896 of the "Origin and Annals of 
the Old Souith Church ;" and of Dr. G. G. Wallace's manuscript 
history of New England Presbyterianism. 

During the author's pastorate he has taken pains to gather 
from various quarters, ancient documents and occasionally a book 
of previously missing records, and account books of the church 
and society ; some of which had not seen the light for a century or 
more. The most precious find of this nature was about six years 
ago, in what is known as "the sexton's cottage" adjoining the 
meeting-house. A closet in it had been kept nailed fast for fully 
fifty years. On opening it in 1900 we found only a very old chest 
whose contents were examined by the late John T. Brown, Esq., 
and myself, and they proved to be records, letters and other docu- 
ments of the parish, mainly between the years 1774 and 1824, 
though some of them were still more ancient. All these I have ex- 
amined and assorted with care, mending the broken pages, and 
filing them in due order in the fire-proof safe of our church. Of 
these materials we have made use in preparing the present dis- 
course, thus supplementing what has been gleaned patiently from 
other sources already indicated ; though, in a popular address, we 
have not deemed it wise to encumber the pages by a formal quota- 
tion of authorities. 

In conclusion : if it be said that our congregation is not as 
large numerically or as strong financially, as in its earlier days, 
we are happy to say that it has a good membership now. as com- 
pared with the neighboring churches ; and certainly, at no period 
have its adherents been more loyal than today, or more generous 
according to their means. By existing, under such difficult condi- 
tions and amid such modified environment as we have described in 
this discourse, we have at least vindicated our right to exist. Since 
this venerable meeting-house was built, so many sister churches 
have lowered the "Blue Flag" which we have kept fiying, that, as 
recently as 1850, the only churches in Massachusetts connected 



26 SESQUI-CENTENNIAI, 

with a Presbytery were the two of our name in Newburyport. 
Since then so much lost ground has been retrieved as to enable us 
to report in 1906, that there are 22 Presbyterian churches in Mas- 
sachusetts, 10 in Connecticut, 7 in New Hampshire, 2 in Maine, 3 
in Vermont 5 in Rhode Island a total of 49 for New England with 
a total membership of 10,000. Rejoice with us in this steady, pro- 
gressive, wholesome growth, j^nd again we say, "Rejoice !" The 
time for sectarian strife and na~«:€Avness has gone by. These are 
days of increasing Christian fellowship. If our words in this dis- 
course and its appendix have been mostly of and for Presbyterians, 
it is simply for the occasion ; for we regard ourselves only as a 
part of that universal Church of Christ to which our friends belong 
who share in our present rejoicing. We claim no more for our- 
selves than we would gladly accord to all, namely, the right to 
avow and maintain honestly formed religious opinions. The great- 
est of all institutions is the Church of Christ, filled with the Spirit 
of Christ blessed by the presence of Christ, loving all whom Christ 
loves, and seeking to save all whom Christ would save. 

Fidelity to the facts requires us to admit that the fathers had 
dififerent ideas as to the free use of ardent spirits from those that 
now prevail ; and they hardly felt it possible to raise a house, 01 
build a wall, ordain a minister or entertain a Presbytery, without 
a hospitable display of rum such as would now be shocking. Yet 
this very thing was what finally awoke the consciences of Chris- 
tians and originated those early temperance societies of which men 
like Dr. Lyman Beecher and Daniel Dana were leaders. 

The question has been asked why our corner stone was not 
laid 'till a century after the erection of the meeting-house. The 
reason conjectured when our most recent repairs were undertaken 
has since been confirmed. The original edifice was not founded 
on a rock, but on mighty oaken beams laid directly on the ground. 
Hence there was no corner stone, or any other kind of stone till 
in 1856, after the lapse of the first century, a belated corner stone 
was laid with Masonic ceremonies by the Knights Templars, and 
addresses by Doctors Dana, Vermilye and Withington, and Elder 
Moses Pettingell. The copper box under the corner stone holds 
various objects as described in the columns of The Herald for July 
17th, 1856; and on the lid were engraved the names of Dr. Ver- 



SESQUI-CENTKNNIAI, 2J 

milye, as pastor ; and the building committee, viz., Benjamin Har- 
rod, John N. Gushing, William Pritchard, I. H. Boardman, and 
William Graves. The name of James M. Currier is also given, as 
sexton, treasurer and collector. 

In vindication of the vast seating capacity of -the ancient edi- 
fice prior to its reduction to the present size, we find it stated 
that there were on the main floor 140 square pews, and 100 more 
in the three deep galleries, making 240 square pews in all, which 
might easily hold 2000 people, as has often been claimed. The 
"whispering gallery" did not belong to the original house, but is 
a feature of the renovation. 

In his address at the laying of the corner stone. Dr. Withing- 
ton remarked that he came to the First Church of Newbury on. 
Dr. Dana's recommendation, that his third sermon was preached 
from our pulpit, and that it was by the united efforts of Dana and 
Withington that harmony and peace were restored to the congre- 
gations that had been estranged for generations past. He pre- 
dicted that nothing hereafter could ever again disturb the strong 
pure friendship that had come to exist between those branches of 
the one Church of Christ. 




THE CENOTAPH 



Official Directory, January 1, 1907 



PASTOR:— Rev. Horace Carter Hovey. D. D., 60 High Street, 

RULING ELDERS: — 

AaroTi B. Adams, 15 Parsons Street. 
John M. Bailey, 60 Lime Street. 
William Binley, 34 Prospect Street. 
Matthew Glenn, 1 Garden Street. 
George H. Jaques, 16 Boardman Street. 
Oliver O. Jones, 52 High Street. 
Alvah W. Leavitt, 37 Prospect Street. 
James M. Woods, West Newbury. 

DEACONS: — 

Aaron B. Adams. 

John M. Bailey. 

James M. Woods. 
Clerk of the Church and the Session : —William Binley. 
Treasurer of Church, and Clerk of the Society:- Alvah W. Leavitt. 
Superintendent of Sabbath School: — Oliver O. Jones. 
President of Christian Endeavor Society: — George H. Jaques. 

SOCIETY'S COMMITTEE: — 

William E .Chase, Chairman, 5 High Street, Newbury. 

Oliver O. Jones, 52 High Street. 

George B. Pettingell, 521/2 Marlborough Street. 
Society Treasurer: — Miss Jennie E. Osgood, 49 Purchase Street 
Society Collector: — Prentiss H. Reed, 55 Lime Street. 
Music Committee: — Lucius H. Greely, Hiram Macintosh, John M. Bailey. 
Musical Director: — Dr. G. E. L. Noyes. 
Organist: — MSss Edith Thurlow. 
Janitor: — Daniel P. Thurlow, 10 Spring Street. 



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